I recently started a new job. I had a dentist appointment that didn't fix a problem (actually I think it made the problem worse). My mouth started hurting more and more to the point where I had to take pain killers to sleep. I called the dentist and they gave me 3 options for appointments

1. next appointment in 4 days
2. next appointment in over 2 weeks
3. be placed on a cancellation list

I went with option 1. This conflicted with my work schedule and I had to take the day off. My boss was really mad. He told me it can't happen again and that I haven't been pulling my weight around. I offered to work part of the day and he said no. I think he was stressed because he's been understaffed already. I decided to go above him and talked to his manager asking if the company had a policy that did not allow for absence due to medical emergency. He said he would talk to my boss and I can have the day off.

I think it may appear that giving short notice means it's not urgent, whereas same day notice that I had a medical emergency is more understandable. Should I have just waited until the last day and used the phrase "medical emergency"? Obviously this isn't a huge emergency, but given the dentist's schedule 2 weeks I think would be too long. I know it's different between companies but how much detail should I give as to the reason of the absence? I've worked at some places where they did not care at all for the reason, and honestly this made more sense to me if you're not going to be there either way.

Another reason this seemed unfair to me is because twice I have covered for someone else last minute. I thought it would be reciprocated.

I will ask my dentist to write a note explaining the urgent need for the appointment.

I recently started a new job. I had a dentist appointment that didn't fix a problem (actually I think it made the problem worse). My mouth started hurting more and more to the point where I had to take pain killers to sleep. I called the dentist and they gave me 3 options for appointments

1. next appointment in 4 days
2. next appointment in over 2 weeks
3. be placed on a cancellation list

I went with option 1. This conflicted with my work schedule and I had to take the day off. My boss was really mad. He told me it can't happen again and that I haven't been pulling my weight around. I offered to work part of the day and he said no. This conversation took place in writing. I think he was stressed because he's been understaffed already. I decided to go above him and talked to his manager asking if the company had a policy that did not allow for absence due to medical emergency. He said he would talk to my boss and I can have the day off.

I think it may appear that giving short notice means it's not urgent, whereas same day notice that I had a medical emergency is more understandable. Should I have just waited until the last day and used the phrase "medical emergency"? Obviously this isn't a huge emergency, but given the dentist's schedule 2 weeks I think would be too long. I know it's different between companies but how much detail should I give as to the reason of the absence? I've worked at some places where they did not care at all for the reason, and honestly this made more sense to me if you're not going to be there either way.

Another reason this seemed unfair to me is because twice I have covered for someone else last minute. I thought it would be reciprocated.

I will ask my dentist to write a note explaining the urgent need for the appointment.